DEFEND

Focus Areas

PATRIACT leverages the most powerful tools for defending civil rights and liberties – the law and the press. We financially support organizations that ensure every person is guaranteed fair legal representation in matters of civil rights and civil liberties, and groups that protect the press’s work in holding power structures accountable.

Direct Legal Representation

In the United States, there is no promise or guarantee of legal representation in matters of civil rights and liberties. This leaves the poorest and most vulnerable amongst us with no remedies for injustice. The poor, without the financial means to hire legal representatives, are unable to demand the rights and protections legally due to them.

Accepting this inequity in justice means we accept the abhorrent notion that some lives are worth more than others. The only way forward is to safeguard every person’s rights and freedoms. We support organizations that provide legal representation in matters of civil rights & liberties regardless of one’s financial status.

Legal Resources for Journalists

An unhindered press is essential to the American democracy: it holds our institutions accountable for our civil rights and liberties. History shows us that civil rights movements and the press are inextricable – journalists highlighted the appalling impact of racism on people’s lives, the lack of justice for the poor, and more.

Today, journalists continue to play a significant role in advancing civil rights and liberties by highlighting the inequality embedded into our society. We support organizations that enable journalists to work without obstruction by providing them with legal resources.

America’s foundational values are rooted in the premise that all individuals are free and equal. It is the highest form of patriotism to work for an America where reality has caught up with this vision. PATRIACT recognizes that when we come together to protect the rights promised to each and every one of us by the Constitution and our laws – the rights that many have fought and died for – we act as patriots.

Events

PATRIACT connects the pragmatism of fundraising for civil rights and liberties with the things that are at the essence of our humanity - art and cultural experience. We believe this connection is essential to fostering the moral imagination and courage needed to envision and act for an America that is free, inclusive, equitable, just and prosperous for all.

Tuesday, October 2nd 2018

JOIN US on Tuesday, October 2nd for “Art + Action” A Happy Hour Benefit for Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA)!!!

Since their founding in 1990 MUA has worked tirelessly towards its dual mission: “strengthening of Latina immigrant women and activism in defense of immigrant rights and social justice.” In these turbulent times it is imperative that we as a community support these efforts.

Art + Action will include a interactive live art experience guided by the incredible June Li (Juneliart). We are beyond thrilled to work with June as her interactive art exemplifies Patriact’s core commitment to merging art, culture and activism.

This event will take place at the fantastically fun Bar Fluxus! They will be donating a portion of drink sales to MUA as well. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting.

“Of Equality – as if it harm’d me, giving others the same chances and rights as myself – as if it were not indispensable to my own rights that others possess the same.”

-Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass-

Causes

Team

PATRIACT’s volunteers are bound by our love of this country and its foundational ideals, and the recognition of the immense sacrifices our ancestors have made to achieve those ideals. We understand that inequality inherently degrades our national character, and inaction degrades our individual character. We act on behalf of America’s promise of justice and equality for all.

Adam Ebel

From designing the Xbox 360, to launching the Amazon Payments division, to crafting innovation strategy for clients at one of the top design firms in the world, to designing music software for consumers and professionals… Adam has spent his career making peoples lives easier, informative, and way more fun. His other passion is supporting civil rights issues and promoting positive impact across the globe, which is why he joined the team to help launch PATRIACT.

Aishwarya Kancharla

Aishwarya is an immigrant from India with a profound love of America’s ideals of equality and liberty. She has worked with families living with cancer in New York, communities affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, women lacking maternal health services and first aid interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, and promoting the human rights of women, children, and minorities in Afghanistan. From all these experiences, she learned that equality and liberty are at the core of human dignity, and that we all must work to preserve these ideals at home.

Dan Turner

Daniel is a lawyer, educator, small business owner, and student of American political theory. In these turbulent times he has committed himself to working to defend the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution through the protection of civil rights and liberties. Daniel lives in Oakland with his wife. He also runs a record label, DJs and produces dance music.

Marie Poliak

Marie Poliak is a freelance artist who strives to inspire those around her to believe in the limitless potential of their dreams. Russian-born Canadian, Marie spends her time living and working between Toronto, San Francisco, and New York.

Adam Ebel

From designing the Xbox 360, to launching the Amazon Payments division, to crafting innovation strategy for clients at one of the top design firms in the world, to designing music software for consumers and professionals… Adam has spent his career making peoples lives easier, informative, and way more fun. His other passion is supporting civil rights issues and promoting positive impact across the globe, which is why he joined the team to help launch PATRIACT.

Aishwarya Kancharla

Aishwarya is an immigrant from India with a profound love of America’s ideals of equality and liberty. She has worked with families living with cancer in New York, communities affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, women lacking maternal health services and first aid interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, and promoting the human rights of women, children, and minorities in Afghanistan. From all these experiences, she learned that equality and liberty are at the core of human dignity, and that we all must work to preserve these ideals at home.

Dan Turner

Daniel is a lawyer, educator, small business owner, and student of American political theory. In these turbulent times he has committed himself to working to defend the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution through the protection of civil rights and liberties. Daniel lives in Oakland with his wife. He also runs a record label, DJs and produces dance music.

Marie Poliak

Marie Poliak is a freelance artist who strives to inspire those around her to believe in the limitless potential of their dreams. Russian-born Canadian, Marie spends her time living and working between Toronto, San Francisco, and New York.

Olivia Andreani

Born in France and raised in Arizona, Olivia is heavily invested in women’s rights and the immigrant experience. She has a background in non-profit work and community organization. For the past two years, her work has centered on intersectional social justice. She’s also one of the organizers of That’s What She Said, a San Francisco-based monthly event for women to come together to hold space, share stories and empower one another. With PATRIACT she hopes to encourage change, deepen our understanding of humanity and further social equality.

Stacey Shkuratoff

Stacey is a Canadian born and raised web developer who holds a degree in Computer Engineering from The University of British Columbia. Stacey currently lives in Portland and works in the music industry. Since her time in university, she’s been involved with many women in STEM programs and is an advocate for diversity in the workplace. Beyond work she enjoys pole dancing, playing piano and anything Disney.

Sue Silverman

As an attorney, Sue has taken on pro bono cases representing unaccompanied immigrant children in immigration and family courts and volunteered for non-profit organizations that advocate for the rights of marginalized Roma populations in Europe and women and girls who are victims of sex trafficking in Cambodia. She is passionate about helping those who are most vulnerable and is deeply committed to protecting the rights and liberties of everyone in our own country. Sue currently lives in NYC with her husband and two cats and is thrilled to be a part of PATRIACT.

Olivia Andreani

Born in France and raised in Arizona, Olivia is heavily invested in women’s rights and the immigrant experience. She has a background in non-profit work and community organization. For the past two years, her work has centered on intersectional social justice. She’s also one of the organizers of That’s What She Said, a San Francisco-based monthly event for women to come together to hold space, share stories and empower one another. With PATRIACT she hopes to encourage change, deepen our understanding of humanity and further social equality.

Stacey Shkuratoff

Stacey is a Canadian born and raised web developer who holds a degree in Computer Engineering from The University of British Columbia. Stacey currently lives in Portland and works in the music industry. Since her time in university, she’s been involved with many women in STEM programs and is an advocate for diversity in the workplace. Beyond work she enjoys pole dancing, playing piano and anything Disney.

Sue Silverman

As an attorney, Sue has taken on pro bono cases representing unaccompanied immigrant children in immigration and family courts and volunteered for non-profit organizations that advocate for the rights of marginalized Roma populations in Europe and women and girls who are victims of sex trafficking in Cambodia. She is passionate about helping those who are most vulnerable and is deeply committed to protecting the rights and liberties of everyone in our own country. Sue currently lives in NYC with her husband and two cats and is thrilled to be a part of PATRIACT.